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Would you like to add some thoughts to Beckie Horter’s story?
I am re-blogging this excellent work by Beckie for your reading delight today. Here ins PA, the snow is flying and the world turned white in the past hour. Good reading for a winter day. I think, in the original Biblical story, that the most important things to notice are that the sower – not specific gender indicated – and this person sowed the seed – it does not give the reader a specific place – like in a field or a garden or such – the seeds are thrown around – EVERYWHERE. The SOWER flung the SEEDS – they were NOT placed carefully in a GARDEN, nor even across a field – the implication is that they are flung over an immense distance.

“The truth that we are built for eternal life seeps into our hearts like a healing balm. We instinctively know it’s right. And it quiets the longing inside us.”

I am delighted to feature a writer I met a number of years ago when she attended the college where I taught. Beckie is a graduate of Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA. We reconnected recently and she wrote this GUEST BLOG ARTICLE exclusively for SCANdalous! And, here she is……

United by Stories

Our hearts were made for stories. Fearfully and wonderfully made, said the Psalmist. And it’s true: we were built for giving and receiving stories as a means of soul sustenance. It’s the gift of truth told, lessons learned, and humor offered to lighten the daily load.

I’ve been noticing the power of stories latelyas I spend time with my 86-year-old mother. Her short-term memory is terrible. But her capacity for long ago stories lives on. She remembers days on the farm, walking to school, and what an old…

SACRED REST

Sacred rest might be just what we need right now.

Do you feel like you never get a break but simply slide from one situation or problem to another?

Do you yearn for quiet time alone just to regroup and get refreshed?

How do you FEEL when you wake up in the morning?

I think the answer we are looking for is outlined in this book.

SACRED REST

I took the “rest quiz” and discovered the 7 different areas of rest and how I rate in each of them.

You might like to do this too. Here is the link and it only takes a few minutes to do. But, don’t worry about it or over think the questions. Just be honest and select the response that seems to be right for you. It is as easy as that. Try it and see how you rate on REST.

Sleep alone is not enough. You need time to mentally unwind, time to reconnect, and time to appreciate the blessings in your life. Here is a recent podcast I did on the difference between sleep and rest. Have a listen next time you’re on the treadmill or commuting to work.

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Friday Favorite is brought to you by Pennsylvania author, Lynda McKinney Lambert.

Like this:

Stewardship – Take a Time Out

The inner life of a Christian has to be different.

We don’t walk to the same drummer as many other people. We need to recognize this and HONOR it.

A gift was given to us by our Creator. And, with every gift we are given we see a glimmer of how another person sees us. With the gifts we receive, we have insight into who we are. Each gift brings with it a responsibility to be recognized and honored.

Guard your time for it is precious. Set time apart to be alone in solitude. For in being alone and set apart, we can listen to the voice of God and know our purpose.

Busy-ness is not to be desired.

“Crazy Busy” is just that – CRAZY!

“BUSY” is not a virtue.

When is the last time you were still and quiet? Perhaps you need to be a good steward of your time? Take some “time out” to allow the Holy Spirit to communicate with you and guide your day.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Ps

My Life as a Pivot

I am pivoted from one location, to another. I turn, and move suddenly to a new route. I change.

May is the month of graduation ceremonies. Nearly 3 decades ago, I walked down the aisle in my cap and gown to receive my third, and final, degree. The formal procession marked the end of 9 years of diligent work in which I earned 3 university degrees at 2 different universities, in 2 different states. Of course, I was happy to reach the lofty educational goals I set. But, even so, I had a strange sense of loss because I was leaving the environment of being a student in the myriad of classrooms over those years. I loved being a student. When that final diploma was in my hand, I knew I stood at a fork in the road. This achievement meant that I had reached dividing point between my student-centered life of studies and my new academic life as a professional educator.

When students begin to pursue the academic goals that lead to a college degree, they decide to embrace a future-centered environment that will involve them in life-long learning.

I eventually understood that even as a first semester freshmen, a university student is already a professional. It is the decision to begin this journey that propels a student into a professional. It is the decision that marks the change and not the receipt of the final degree. The final graduation ceremony was the turning point for me because it signified a momentous modification in direction. I mourned the loss of being in a classroom, as a student, for many years. Honestly, I wanted to be a student forever.

On reflection of those years, I can say I wrote more research papers than I can remember. Writing and researching various topics in my fields of fine arts and humanities motivated me and urged me onward in pursuit of wisdom.

I thrived on doing research at the library; searching through the pages of various periodicals or books was a passion.

In the process of writing papers, I discovered new research. I felt like an archaeologist digging in a multi-layered excavation site. Every page I turned just might lead to a new discovery. New discoveries revealed a new set of questions and new paths to pursue.

We often find hidden pathways and ancient passages in the debris and dust we gather as we write our papers. There is always something that compels us to explore. Dig deeper. In the course of researching and writing papers, I experienced the unexpected or unknown. It is in these pivots of our life that we encounter our true self as we continually ask:

“What if?” “Now what?” “Where will this lead me?” “What is this world view?”

Miriam Webster’s Dictionary reveals that a pivot can be a noun or a verb. Yes, I can see it both ways but when I think of this word, pivot, I feel like an action is taking place. This word indicates a movement, to me. Research brings me to new information. New conclusions.

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Visit the WELCOME PAGE to learn more about Lynda McKinney Lambert. activities and career.

Lynda McKinney Lambert lives and writes in the Village of Wurtemburg, in Western Pennsylvania. Her articles and poems appear on a number of blogs, as well as Literary Magazines and books.

Epiphany

Friday, January 6, 2017

Epiphany: At 6 am we walk through the snow in the darkness.The morning is still and peaceful.

My dogs and me. We are early risers.

I notice cat tracks that leave a trail from my porch and over the snowy sidewalk; sown the driveway; and across the road. He is a black and white cat who visits for the food, shelter, and comfort that Bob provides daily. We see him come and go. He’s afraid of people. We get glimpses of him.

Along the edges of the ridge, deer tracks are fresh. I am thankful for these majestic creatures who pass like ghosts through the woods in all seasons.

Back inside the house, I read a blog post that gave me a window to wisdom I’ll need for this day. Peace, like a river…it is well with my soul. I am standing. My soul sings to God. How GREAT Thou art! Here’s my heart.

Envision a Ship Coming In

by Lynda Lambert

People often say, “I hope my ship comes in.”

In other words, they WANT to have something good come to them in some unexpected way. It usually means they need a financial windfall or help with something material they want to come to them. Definitely, this phrase expresses a need in their life and a longing for a quick fix.

The phrase also signifies a person feels helpless and really doubts that anything will change for them. It feels a bit helpless when you hear this longing desire for “somehthing,” doesn’t it? It makes me sad.

There is a universal law known as “SOWING & REAPING.”

When we are in need of a HARVEST, we must first plant the seeds for it.

Without the actions of preparing the soil and planting the seend, there is seldom a harvest.

As I hear a person wondering if their ship will come in, I have to ask:

How many ships did you SEND OUT?

I send out a LOT of ships, so I can live in the expectation that many ships will come in for me. And, just like we ENVISION, they DO come in – or come BACK , in DUE time.

Often my SHIPS come back through the mail. When my husband brings in the mail each day, I ask him: “Did a ship come in the mailbox today?”

What DOES your SHIP LOOK LIKE?

My SHIPS come in the form of CHECKS that arrive by MAIL Some ships come in the form of INVITATIONS to important events that I will enjoy.

Occasionally ships come in the disguise of AWARDS for work I have done in writing and art. That is what I DO, it’s my profession. When I do it extremely well, I get paid with MONEY, FRIENDSHIPS, LOVE, RESPECT, AWARDS, Publications or PUBLIC RECOGNITION.

Ships can arrive in dreams, in the middle of the night. Ships will come in conversations with others. Ideas for new projects or answers to difficult questions we are wrestling with can come unexpectedly.

Ships can be SENT OUT anywhere and at any time.

Ships can COME IN anywhere and at any time, too!

Many years ago, I read a book by a well-known California pastor, Rev. Robert Schuller.

He spoke on reaping a harvest from God for our work. He said to CELEBRATE every award we receive, put those AWARD ribbons and plaques on our WALL and LOOK at them EVERY DAY – to remember that all our harvests come from GOD.

In my art studio, a wall is covered from ceiling to floor with colorful satin ribbons from all over the world – they inspire me to do MORE and they affirm that what I do has been recognized by colleagues in my field. Each award is an affirmation by an expert in my field that my work passed the test and came in as a winner.

Likewise, in my office where I write; the walls are adorned with plaques and framed recognition certificates I have received over the years from organizations I served. My diplomas from universities where I earned 3 degrees push me forward to stay focused on what is important in my pursuit of life-long learning. I plan to do research and share my gifts with others even more in the years ahead. Diplomas are far more than a piece of paper. They are ships that vrought me through years of personal effort and dedication. When I look at them now, I feel like they are anchors that hold my ship fast in any storm and keep me on course.

How about you?

You may have many ships yet to come in but if you have not yet sent them out, you will never be able to say, “My ship came in!”

When your SHIP does come IN, be sure to thank God for it, put the award ribbon or plaque on your wall, cash your checks, see your work in publications, and send off more ships – plant more seeds for an abundant harvest.

And, yes, stand proud and take a bow and pause to recognize your harvest.

OH, I almost forgot to share a ship that returned to me this morning. You can read my wonderful NEWS today at this link:

She is a freelance writer and her poetry and essays appear in numerous books and literary journals. She is a retired professor of fine arts and humanities and she exhibits her fiber arts in exhibitions worldwide.

Currently, Lynda has two books in development for publication in late 2016.

The End -or- the Beginning?

SCANdalous-Recollections

Kaleidoscope: Collecting Images of Light and Dreams

I’ll sing a farewell song as 2015 comes to a close. My writing has appeared in many publications this year and I am thankful so many publishers, editors and readers found my work worthy of their time, efforts and reading enjoyment. Most of all, I am thankful for the shared time we spent together in 2015. And, I am so proud that I shared the work of 6 writers here on the blog this year!

The symbolic image I envision for the New Year, 2016, just ahead, is the

KALEIDOSCOPE

A Kaleidoscope is symbolic of Constant CHANGE.

I’m making an INTENTION to VIEW life filled with BEAUTY, COLOR and extraordinary PATTERNS of light and dreams. This is my INTENTION for 2016. I’ll be writing articles throughout the year with the magic of a Kaleidoscope in my mind as I write.

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My Literary INTENTIONS for 2016:

Publication of my book of memoir/essays:

Kaleidoscope: Collecting Patterns of Light and Dreams

Publication of my new book of poems:

Eclipse: Hands Folded in Prayer

Continued publication of my writing in periodicals, literary journals and inclusion in books by other authors.

New articles by me and featured Guest Blogs with special topics in the Humanities, Arts and Faith.

SCANdalous-Recollections Blog just entered the 2nd year.

Walking by Inner Vision Blog entered its 7th year.

Before we say “good bye 2015” I want to share where the year ended here at SCANdalous-Recollections Blog:

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Lynda’s 2 blogs:

Lynda’s Bio

Lynda McKinney Lambert is the author of “Concerti: Psalms for the Pilgrimage” published by Kota Press. She authors two blogs on writing, the humanities, arts, and faith. She is a freelance writer and her poetry and essays appear in numerous books and literary journals. She is a retired professor of fine arts and humanities and she exhibits her fiber arts in exhibitions worldwide.

Currently, she has two books in development for publication in 2016.

Skip to Walking by Inner Vision Journal:

In 2015, Lynda wrote 30 Writing Assignments and Lessons to help you begin to write your own life story.